The Toronto Maple Leafs defense group has been struck with injuries.
I decided that it would be interesting to round up the team’s take on the situation. So Here is the latest from the Toronto Maple Leafs from their pregame interviews on Saturday.
A number of Leafs players and their coach met with the media before the tilt with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.
While many questions were met with hockey clichés, some responses gave some true insight into what’s happening behind closed doors with the team’s depleted defense group.
Toronto Maple Leafs In Their Own Words
Calle Jarnkrok was asked about the injuries to the Leafs defense core.
Having played a game on the back-end during the preseason, there was rumblings that he may be join the group on the blueline once again as a patch until a long term solution can be found. Jarnkrok emphatically debunked that theory. “I think we have a lot better options than me back there for sure,” the center explained.
Even though Jarnkrok isn’t going to join the defense, he was complimentary of someone already part of that squad, Mark Giordano.
“It’s pretty impressive,” Jarnkrok began. “39-years-old and looks like he’s 25.”
Sheldon Keefe continued to share in the admiration for the Toronto, Ontario Native.
“First and foremost, is a world class competitor,” the coach explained, going on to talk about what a warrior and mentor the veteran is for the rest of the team.
The same respect was shown for injured defenseman Jake Muzzin.
Though there isn’t a timeline for his return from a cervical spine injury apart from being reevaluated in late February, Muzzin will be accompanying the team on their current road trip. Keefe explained that “Jake’s a part of our team. He’s a part of our group. ” This may indicate that Muzzin may not be done. Everyone seems to be assuming he is, but if he’s sticking around the team, maybe that’s a good sign.
The mutual respect continued to pour out when Giordano had his turn in front of the media.
He took the opportunity to acknowledge the play of two young blueliners, Timothy Liljegren and Rasmus Sandin. “Lily and Rasy specifically have really stepped up here, obviously in the last few games….” going on to throw out several compliments and a ton of respect to the Toronto Maple Leafs young duo.
It’s always positive when a franchise is on the same page publicly. Hopefully, this love fest for those patrolling the Leafs zone can help them get rolling and get themselves into a long winning streak.